With an aim to strengthen road network in the state the World Bank has assured a grant of Rs 3500 crore under Uttar Pradesh Core Road Network Development Programme in which new state highways would be constructed and old would be renovated.A senior official in Chief Minister’s office said that Union Finance Ministry has approved the World Bank grant with a condition that state government should pay 30 per cent additional grant. “The World Bank has agreed to give Rs 2450 crore grant and if 30 per cent share of the state government is added to it UP will have Rs 3500 crore to spruce up its road network,” the official told The Pioneer on condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to speak to media.
This money would be used for laying 419 km long new roads and strengthening and widening of almost 1000 km long five state highways. This project will come under Uttar Pradesh Core Road Network Development Programme. Besides, this money would be used for construction of a bridge over river Sharda at Pachpedi ghat in lakhimpur Khiri. This is expected to be the longest road bridge in Uttar Pradesh.
“This project will start immediately and is expected to complete by 2017. The officials have been asked to work in a time bound manner so that it could be completed within stipulated time,” the official said. All important roads in the state have been brought under Uttar Pradesh Core Road Network Development Programme. Total length of this network is 24095 km and it includes all the national and state highways.
The official said that as per World Bank directive M/S Egis India Consulting Engineers Pvt ltd, Faridabad has been appointed as Project Management Consultant of this project. This firm will be responsible for supervision and report to the State Government about defect under Defect liability Period. The PWD has been appointed as the nodal agency.
This World Bank project is the first step towards developing Road Asset Management System. The progress will be digitally monitored. The Consultants have been asked to upload the pace of construction on the daily basis. The progress would be monitored through three PWD circles located in lucknow, Moradabad and Kanpur, Specific officers have been pointed in these circles who will co-ordinate with World Bank officers.
The construction in the first phase will start on Hamirpur-Rath-Jhansi Road (168 km), Autraulla-Faizabad road (59 km), Baudaun-Bilsi - Bijnore road (79 km) and Goal-Shahajahanpur road (59 km). In the next phase four lan roads will be taken up.